<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/broadbeach-qld-4218">Broadbeach</a> offers plenty of reasons to live vertically, but moving from a substantial family home into an apartment can expose the compromises of high-density living. Privacy, room for guests and usable living space tend to matter more when an apartment is intended as a permanent home rather than an occasional coastal base.

A typical residential floor at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-eveleigh-broadbeach-7-9-surf-parade-broadbeach-qld-4218">The Eveleigh</a>, on Surf Parade,&nbsp;contains just four apartments. The 94-residence development by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/hirsch-faigen">Hirsch &amp; Faigen</a> is predominantly made up of expansive three-bedroom homes, with a limited collection of half-floor penthouses above.

Across the apartment floors, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a> has used the relatively limited number of residences to give each home greater access to natural light and outlook. Living spaces extend towards full-height glazing, while a series of bay windows frame selected views across the Pacific Ocean, city and hinterland rather than treating the building edge as a continuous wall of glass.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149670 project_image_fid=360965]

“The apartment floors deliver a collection of homes that embrace controlled outlook via a series of bay windows deliberately framing moments of view,” Rothelowman Director Kim Lowman said.

From outside, those projecting forms contribute to the tower’s faceted profile. Strong horizontal and vertical elements establish its proportions, while the changing position of the sun alters the light, shadow and reflection across the façade throughout the day.

The same attention moves inside the apartments, where the material palette combines warm timber, natural stone, metallic detailing and softer curved forms. Kitchens sit within the main living zone, with stone island benches, integrated joinery and European appliances, before the living areas extend towards the glazing and the outlook.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149670 project_image_fid=360981]

Three genuine bedrooms provide room to accommodate family and guests, while two secure car spaces and storage address some of the practical considerations that can become more noticeable when moving from a larger home. Feedback from the display suite has centred on the warmth and restraint of the interiors, with buyers commenting that the residences feel like homes rather than conventional coastal apartments.

A limited collection of half-floor penthouses occupies the upper levels, increasing the scale of the living spaces and adding private balconies and elevated finishes. From this position, the outlook extends between the ocean and hinterland.

Outside the private residences, The Eveleigh separates its shared spaces between the podium and rooftop. The podium is centred on wellness, with subtropical landscaping surrounding a swimming pool and pool terrace, yoga garden, private gymnasium, sauna and hot and cold plunge facilities. Landscaped retreats and pavilions provide additional places to sit away from the main recreation areas.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149670 project_image_fid=360966]

Higher in the building, a rooftop pavilion and private dining suite sit alongside resident lounge, barbecue and outdoor dining areas, opening towards panoramic views across the ocean, city and hinterland.

“Buyers are no longer just looking for an apartment, but a lifestyle where they can relax, reset, and enjoy a balanced way of living,” Hirsch &amp; Faigen Director of Sales Matt George said.

Interest to date has come from established owner-occupiers and interstate lifestyle purchasers, including buyers planning a future move to the Gold Coast. Many are coming from larger homes and want to reduce ongoing maintenance without giving up space for family and guests, privacy, two car spaces or the ability to entertain at home.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149670 project_image_fid=360969]

Much of that daily life can also take place beyond the building without requiring a drive. Kurrawa Beach and Pratten Park are an easy walk from Surf Parade, while Pacific Fair, Oracle Boulevard, The Oasis, restaurants, cafés, entertainment and public transport are also within walking distance.

The Eveleigh is Hirsch &amp; Faigen's fourth Gold Coast development since entering the market in 2021, following The Hemingway at Palm Beach, The Emerson at Kirra and Yves at Mermaid Beach. Each of the preceding projects sold out before completion.

“Broadbeach had been on our radar throughout our time operating on the Gold Coast,” the developer said. “Following our projects in Palm Beach, Kirra and Mermaid Beach, Broadbeach represented the natural next step for the business.”

The Surf Parade site brought together proximity to the beach, protected coastal outlooks and walkability to dining, shopping and recreation. Hirsch &amp; Faigen also identified the street as an emerging premium residential address, with enough separation from Broadbeach's busier destinations to retain a quieter environment at home.

The Eveleigh is now under construction by Maxcon, with completion forecast for mid-2028. Three-bedroom residences are currently available from $2.87 million.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=149670]

Joel Robinson

The Eveleigh brings house-like apartments to Broadbeach

A long-stalled Campbelltown development site is back in play, with new plans for 139 apartments set to supersede a mixed-use scheme approved almost a decade ago but never built.

The new proposal for 28 Cordeaux Street would deliver 116 market and 23 affordable apartments in a part 14-storey building, bringing a substantial new project into a Campbelltown market where new apartment supply remains limited.

Plans have been filed over the 3,092 sqm corner site at Moore-Oxley Street, around 600 metres from Campbelltown Railway Station and the city-centre retail core.

The site already carries a mixed-use residential approval dating to 2016. Doroch Architects has now been engaged on a larger replacement scheme, which is progressing as a State Significant Development Application following a Housing Delivery Authority determination in August 2025.

The apartment mix comprises 39 one-bedroom, 72 two-bedroom and 28 three-bedroom residences. Two-bedroom apartments make up just over half of the project, while three-bedroom homes account for 20 per cent.

<img alt="First look: New 139-apartment plans revive long-stalled Campbelltown city centre site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="136dd5b9-3791-4da6-9e31-76f533f5b4de" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Campbelltown%20da2.png?VersionId=LgOSy9nwf5u.MGswBBwaGGxuX8QpHSl_" />

Of the 139 apartments, 23 will be delivered as affordable housing under the in-fill affordable housing provisions of the Housing SEPP. The affordable component represents 15 per cent of the residential gross floor area and will be managed by a registered Community Housing Provider.

Doroch has sought to break the scale of the building into two distinct elements, with a masonry podium of around four storeys establishing the street edge before the residential tower steps back above.

The corner position has shaped that approach. Cordeaux Street faces toward the commercial and civic centre, while Moore-Oxley Street leads into the lower-scale residential neighbourhood to the south, and the design verification report describes the site as "bridging the commercial core to the north and established residential areas to the south."

The podium will be expressed predominantly in face brick, while the upper levels shift to brushed and grooved concrete cladding with darker metal detailing. Recessed sections, deep balcony edges and landscaping break down the upper form, with an approximately 11.8-metre setback to the northern boundary addressing the adjoining St Peters Anglican School.

<img alt="First look: New 139-apartment plans revive long-stalled Campbelltown city centre site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c8b3d2d3-c561-4bfc-a5d9-a68c0c10dac1" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Campbelltown%20da1.png?VersionId=AeAEyJU02Gk2k5noUj2StziCvdQ7fW4B" />

Campbelltown has been starved of new residential developments in the last decade.

The only other notable development set to come to market this year is ALAND's Queen Square, a mixed-use precinct on over two hectares that will comprise apartments above a vibrant ground-level retail and hospitality dining precinct.

First look: New 139-apartment plans revive long-stalled Campbelltown city centre site

First Look: Sherlock Construction pitches apartments for low-rise Deception Bay

Queensland builder-developer MAYD has revealed the first look at its major North Kirra beachfront development, lodging amended plans that reduce the number of apartments and increase the proportion of larger residences.

The project is planned across a substantial 4,742 sqm amalgamated site spanning seven lots at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/2-6-pacific-parade-bilinga-qld-4225">2-6 Pacific Parade</a> and 27-33 Golden Four Drive in Bilin​ga, directly opposite Nor​th Kirra Beach.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/mayd-group">MAYD</a> secured the site for $32.5 million in 2025, in what was one of the Gold Coast's largest property transactions of the year.

The development will be delivered across two stages, with the first stage carrying an estimated gross realisation value of around $360 million.

The latest amendments seek to reduce the overall apartment count and shift the project further toward the owner-occupier market, with larger residences designed for buyers wanting considerably more space than traditionally offered in a beachfront apartment.

The residential mix will include townhomes, oversized two-bedroom apartments, substantial three-bedroom residences and four-bedroom homes.

MAYD has appointed Cera Stribley to lead the architecture and interiors, with the Melbourne-based design practice drawing on the beachfront setting through a series of ocean-facing terraces and heavily landscaped balconies.

Strong horizontal forms and curved balconies will define the exterior, with subtropical landscaping integrated throughout the building to soften the built form and increase the connection between the residences and the beachfront.

The project will also include an extensive collection of resident wellness and lifestyle facilities, continuing the broader shift across the Gold Coast's luxury apartment market toward larger homes supported by resort-style amenity.

<img alt="MAYD" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d1bcbb05-e659-4b47-8bd4-1e595315e2ad" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-27%20at%202.05.03%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=jj0XEud1X1DuLt7_KyElhjMdZGOXmLHP" />

MAYD Founder Todd Mould said North Kirra was increasingly appealing to buyers attracted to the more established, lower-density character of the southern Gold Coast.

"North Kirra presents one of the most compelling luxury residential opportunities currently emerging in Australia, combining absolute beachfront with the character and authenticity that buyers are increasingly seeking, and the same sense of tight-knit community that defined Burleigh and Currumbin perhaps 10 or 15 years ago," Mould said.

"With Gold Coast Airport on its doorstep, it also offers a level of accessibility that broadens its appeal across almost every market demographic."

The project comes as the southern Gold Coast continues to attract an increasing share of high-end apartment development and buyer activity.

Kirra in particular has emerged as one of the region's more tightly held beachfront markets, with its relatively low-density character, established surf and hospitality scene and proximity to Gold Coast Airport differentiating it from the higher-density markets further north.

Mould said those characteristics had informed the approach MAYD and Cera Stribley had taken to the project.

"We've worked closely with Cera Stribley to create a vision that is deeply connected to its surroundings," he said.

"Inspired by the coastline itself, the architecture has been shaped around space, privacy and resort-style living, creating a collection of homes that reflects the next generation of luxury on the southern Gold Coast."

MOTIV Managing Director Carly Cottam, who has been appointed to market the project, said buyer attention had continued to move south along the Gold Coast.

"Purchasers who may once have defaulted to Broadbeach, Main Beach or Surfers Paradise are increasingly recognising the value of a genuine beachfront location that offers lower density, strong amenity and a more established sense of community," Cottam said.

"Kirra has a powerful combination of growing demand and genuine scarcity. Beachfront supply is inherently constrained, the area remains relatively low density, and buyers are increasingly placing a premium on locations that feel established, uncrowded and authentic rather than heavily developed."

Cottam said the proximity to Gold Coast Airport was also proving increasingly important for interstate and second-home buyers.

"Being minutes from Gold Coast Airport makes it particularly compelling for interstate buyers, frequent travellers and second-home purchasers who can access an authentic coastal lifestyle almost immediately after stepping off a flight."

The acquisition takes MAYD's active development portfolio to more than $500 million, with the North Kirra project representing one of its largest undertakings to date.

MAYD is targeting an early 2027 launch.

First look at MAYD's North Kirra mixed-use precinct

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Castle Hill, the longtime hub of the Hills District, has been one of the major beneficiaries of Sydney's Metro expansion, with improved connectivity helping drive continued population growth, development and buyer demand across the Hills District.

But despite that growth, the suburb has seen relatively few major new apartment projects brought to market over the past 18 months.

Hills District developer Reve Group is looking to fill that gap with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/nova-r-ve-castle-hill-2-garthowen-crescent-castle-hill-nsw-2154">Nova Rêve</a>, a major new mixed-use precinct on the corner of Garthowen Crescent and Old Castle Hill Road, a short walk from Castle Hill Metro Station and Castle Towers.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377679]

The project will comprise three residential towers alongside a hotel, restaurants, cafes and a skybar, more than 1,600 sqm of ground-floor retail and almost an acre of landscaped gardens.

It represents the largest project undertaken by Reve Group, the development arm of the Kassis family, which has been building across the Hills District for more than 30 years through Kassis Homes.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377675]

Nova Rêve also represents a significant step up from the family's first apartment development, Grand Rêve, which was delivered nearby on Garthowen Crescent.

Grand Rêve introduced larger, house-like apartment layouts and premium inclusions including Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances to the Castle Hill market.

Nova Rêve takes that approach to a precinct scale, combining the residential component with hospitality, retail and substantial public and resident landscaping.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377685]

Reve Group Managing Director Sam Kassis said the project reflected the family's three decades of building in the Hills, which has evolved from trophy homes on quarter-acre blocks to larger-scale apartment development.

"Grand Rêve was our first apartment project here and it showed us what this pocket of Castle Hill could be. Nova Rêve is the refinement of that idea: not just apartments, but a place the whole suburb can use," Kassis said.

A key part of that approach is the hotel, which has been designed to operate as an amenity for the wider Castle Hill community rather than solely hotel guests.

It will include restaurants, cafes, skybars and all-day dining, alongside conference and event facilities catering to business functions, community groups and private events.

At ground level, more than 1,600 sqm of shops and cafes will open onto the surrounding streets and landscaped areas.

Almost an acre of gardens designed by Land and Form Studios will run through the precinct, incorporating pathways, seating, barbecue areas and children's play spaces.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377680]

Reve Group's Romio Georges said creating an active ground plane had been central to the planning of Nova Rêve.

"There are gardens with pathways, barbecues, seating and play areas, shops and cafes opening onto the street, and a hotel with restaurants and a skybar that anyone in Castle Hill can walk into," Georges said.

The project's elevated position on one of Sydney's highest ridgelines will also provide apartments with outlooks toward the Sydney skyline, surrounding parkland and the Blue Mountains.

More than 80 per cent of the apartments will occupy corner positions, with Turner responsible for both the architecture and interiors.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=152737]

<h3 data-end="3697" data-section-id="q3n5ak" data-start="3672">&nbsp;</h3>
</main>

Nova Rêve arrives as Reve Group bets on Castle Hill's next growth phase

Sydney’s property market is known for high prices, competitive bidding, and mounting pressure on first home buyers. But change is on the horizon.

From late 2025, eligible first home buyers in New South Wales will have access to a new federal government initiative aimed at addressing affordability: the Help to Buy Scheme.&nbsp;

<h2>What is the Help to Buy Scheme?</h2>

The program introduces a shared equity model intended to reduce the upfront cost of entering the property market, particularly in high-demand urban areas such as Sydney.

The scheme operates under a shared ownership structure in which the federal government takes an equity stake of up to 40 per cent for new homes, or 30 per cent for existing dwellings. This arrangement allows eligible buyers to significantly reduce their loan size and avoid the added cost of Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI).

Under this model, purchasers can enter the property market with as little as a two per cent deposit, well below the traditional 10 to 20 per cent usually required. The government’s contribution is not a loan but a co-ownership stake in the property. As such, there is no interest or rent charged on its portion.

Because the government’s equity combined with the buyer’s deposit typically meets or exceeds the 20 per cent threshold, LMI does not apply. The remaining balance, generally between 60 and 70 per cent of the property’s value, is financed through a standard home loan with a participating lender.

The government's equity in the property remains in place until the buyer chooses to repay it voluntarily or until the property is sold. Buyers can buy back the government’s share over time, in increments of at least five per cent, depending on their financial situation.

There is no fixed repayment timeline, but the amount to be repaid will be based on the property's market value at the time of repayment, not the original purchase price.

<h2>How do you qualify for the&nbsp;Help to Buy Scheme?</h2>

To qualify for the Help to Buy Scheme, applicants must meet the following conditions:

<ul>
	<li>Be an Australian citizen at least 18 years of age.</li>
	<li>Be a first-home buyer who does not currently own property.</li>
	<li>Intend to live in the property as their primary residence.</li>
	<li>Earn less than $100,000 per year for individuals, or $160,000 for couples.</li>
	<li>Purchase a property within the regional price caps, currently $950,000 in Sydney, though this is expected to rise to approximately $1.3 million ahead of the program’s launch.</li>
</ul>

While the Help to Buy Scheme does not solve affordability challenges across the board, it does offer a more accessible pathway for a defined segment of the market, particularly younger buyers with moderate incomes who have been priced out of traditional lending routes.

The scheme is expected to commence in NSW in late 2025, as part of a national rollout.

Under the new model, purchasers can enter the property market with as little as a two per cent deposit, well below the traditional 10 to 20 per cent usually required

Help to Buy Scheme: What first home buyers in NSW need to know

The First Home Owners Grant (FHOG) is a government initiative designed to help eligible first-time home buyers by offering financial assistance towards the purchase or construction of a new home.

While the FHOG is a nationwide program, it is administered separately by each state and territory, meaning the eligibility criteria, grant amounts, and property requirements can vary depending on your location. This means that the amount available and the conditions attached to the grant will differ, so it is important to check the specific guidelines for your state or territory.

It’s important to note that the FHOG is just one of several incentives available to first home buyers. In most states and territories, the grant is not linked to stamp duty exemptions or concessions, with the exception of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). The FHOG is typically a one-off payment, reducing the overall cost of purchasing or building a new home before any stamp duty concessions are applied.

Below, we provide a breakdown of the First Home Owner Grants available across Australia, outlining the specific details for each state and territory.

<h2>New South Wales First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: Offers a $10,000 grant for new homes valued up to $600,000. For land purchases and owner-builders, the threshold extends to $750,000.

Stamp Duty Benefits: Provides full stamp duty exemption for homes valued up to $800,000, with concessions available for properties up to $1 million.

<h2>Victoria South Wales First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: Provides a $10,000 grant for first-home buyers purchasing or building new homes valued up to $750,000.

Stamp Duty Benefits: Offers full stamp duty exemption for properties up to $600,000, with concessions available up to $750,000.

<h2>Queensland First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: Offers $30,000 for contracts signed between 20 November 2023 and 30 June 2025. The FHOG applies to new homes valued up to $750,000.

Stamp Duty Concessions: Provides additional concessions for properties valued up to $800,000.

<h2>Western Australia First Home Owner Grant</h2>

&nbsp;

First Home Owner Grant: Offers a $10,000 grant for new homes valued up to $750,000 in the southern regions and up to $1 million in the northern regions.

Stamp Duty Concessions: Available for homes valued up to $600,000 for transactions entered into on or after 9 May 2024.

<h2>Australian Capital Territory First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: Replaced by the Home Buyer Concession Scheme, offering full stamp duty concessions for eligible buyers.

<h2>South Australia First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: Provides up to $15,000 for new homes, including houses, apartments, and townhouses. As of 6 June 2024, there is no property value cap for eligibility.

Stamp Duty Relief: Available for new homes and vacant land purchases.

<h2>Tasmania First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: Offers a $10,000 grant for new homes and off the plan purchases.

Stamp Duty Exemption: Between 18 February 2024 and 30 June 2026, first home buyers of established homes valued up to $750,000 receive a full exemption on property transfer duty.

<h2>Northern Territory First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: The Northern Territory provides a $10,000 grant for new homes only. Additional government grants and concessions are available for first home buyers.

Stamp Duty Exemption: The only stamp duty exemption available to property buyers is the House and Land Package Exemption (HLPE).

Eligibility criteria and application processes differ across states. Prospective buyers should refer to their respective state revenue offices for full details on grant availability, conditions, and additional concessions.

Every First Home Owner Grant for new property by state

In the ever-evolving landscape of sustainable architecture and environmentally conscious design, systems and ratings in place can help determine the energy efficiency of residential buildings in Australia.

Australia has multiple building rating systems that evaluate energy efficiency and sustainability in existing and new building designs.

Some systems assess individual building components, while others provide an overall rating for the entire structure.

A rating system ensures that homes are comfortable and energy-efficient, whether you are buying, renovating, or building.

NatHERS (Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme) is a common way for new homes to meet energy efficiency requirements.

As new developments continue to shape the urban environment, understanding NatHERS ratings becomes essential for developers and homeowners. This article delves into the concept of NatHERS ratings, their significance, and how they contribute to creating energy-efficient homes.

<h2>What is NatHERS?</h2>

NatHERS is a national initiative implemented by the Australian government to promote energy efficiency in residential buildings. The scheme aims to provide a standardised method for assessing the thermal performance of homes, considering factors such as insulation, orientation, ventilation, and building materials.&nbsp;

NatHERS ratings are the most common way new homes meet the National Construction Code's (NCC's) minimum energy efficiency requirements.&nbsp;

NatHERS assessments provide thermal and whole-home ratings for new homes, townhouses, and apartments.

The rating helps evaluate the energy performance of buildings, guides homeowners and developers to make informed decisions about the energy efficiency of their properties, and encourages the construction of more sustainable, comfortable, and cost-effective homes.

<h2>How NatHERS Ratings Work</h2>

NatHERS ratings are determined through four accredited software tools (AccuRate, BERS Pro, FirstRate5, HERO) using a calculation engine CSIRO developed to predict building temperature based on various factors.

The tools can model complex effects of building mass, insulation, window size, and other elements.

The outcome is a star rating that reflects the building's overall thermal efficiency, indicating how well it can maintain a comfortable indoor temperature without excessive reliance on heating or cooling systems.

The star rating scale ranges from 0 to 10, with a 6-star rating being the minimum requirement for compliance with the National Construction Code (NCC).&nbsp;

Achieving a higher star rating demonstrates a commitment to energy efficiency and sustainability, as the building is better equipped to minimise its environmental impact and reduce long-term energy costs.

Anyone can use NatHERS tools, but accredited assessors can provide certified ratings and professional advice.

<h2>Benefits of Higher NatHERS Ratings</h2>

Energy Efficiency: Buildings with higher NatHERS ratings are more energy-efficient, requiring less heating and cooling energy. This reduces the structure's carbon footprint and lowers occupants' energy bills.

Cost Savings: Homes with higher NatHERS ratings are generally more energy-efficient, resulting in reduced energy consumption for heating and cooling. This translates to lower energy bills for homeowners, making sustainable living environmentally friendly and economically viable in the long run.

Environmental Impact: Lower energy consumption directly translates to a reduced environmental impact. Buildings with higher NatHERS ratings contribute to the overall goal of mitigating climate change by lowering greenhouse gas emissions associated with heating and cooling systems.

Improved Comfort: Buildings with high NatHERS ratings offer better thermal comfort to occupants. Proper insulation, well-designed ventilation, and optimal orientation maintain a consistent and comfortable indoor temperature, providing occupants with a more enjoyable and healthier space.

Market Value and Desirability: Higher NatHERS ratings can enhance the market value of a property. As energy efficiency becomes a more significant consideration for homebuyers, a well-rated building may attract a premium price and stand out in the real estate market.

Compliance with Building Codes: NatHERS ratings are a vital component of the National Construction Code (NCC), and compliance with these ratings is often a mandatory requirement for new developments. Local councils and planning authorities may set minimum energy efficiency standards that must be met to obtain development approval.

The Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) is a crucial initiative shaping the future of energy-efficient, resilient, and cost-effective homes. With its recent upgrades, NatHERS has evolved into a world-leading tool for the building sector, supporting the global commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

Staff Writer

What is a NatHERS rating in new off the plan apartment developments?

Mixed-use developments have gained significant popularity across Australia in recent years due to their unique blend of residential, commercial, and recreational spaces.

Unlike traditional single-purpose developments, mixed-use projects offer a harmonious integration of various functions within a single locale.

Residential units seamlessly coexist with commercial establishments, retail outlets, dining venues, entertainment hubs, and recreational facilities, with the combination not only enhances convenience but also fosters a vibrant lifestyle and a sense of community.

<h3>Convenience and accessibility</h3>

Mixed-use developments are designed with convenience in mind. They often integrate residential units with commercial spaces, retail outlets, restaurants, and recreational facilities, creating a self-contained community.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=114215 project_image_fid=204874]

The proximity allows residents to enjoy the convenience of having essential amenities and services within walking distance. Whether it's grabbing a cup of coffee, going grocery shopping, or accessing healthcare services, everything is conveniently located, saving residents time and effort.

<h3>Vibrant lifestyle and community</h3>

One of the major advantages of mixed-use developments is the vibrant lifestyle they offer. With a diverse range of amenities and communal spaces, residents have ample opportunities to interact, socialise, and build a sense of community.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=107714 project_image_fid=214122]

The presence of parks, community centres, and shared spaces fosters a lively atmosphere, encouraging residents to engage in various activities and events. The vibrant lifestyle within these developments creates a unique sense of belonging and camaraderie among the residents.

<h3>Potential for higher rental yields and property value appreciation</h3>

Mixed-use developments tend to attract a broad range of tenants and buyers due to their versatile nature. This high demand can result in higher rental yields for investors and potentially lead to property value appreciation over time.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=139989 project_image_fid=212887]

The integration of commercial and retail spaces attracts businesses, which can provide a stable rental income stream. Additionally, the popularity of mixed-use developments often drives up property values, making them a potentially lucrative investment in the long term.

<h3>Enhanced security and maintenance</h3>

Mixed-use developments typically have comprehensive security measures in place. With controlled access points, CCTV surveillance, and professional security staff, residents can enjoy enhanced safety and peace of mind.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108019 project_image_fid=212658]

Additionally, these developments often have dedicated maintenance teams responsible for the upkeep of common areas, landscaping, and infrastructure. This ensures that the overall appearance and functionality of the development are well-maintained, creating a pleasant living environment for residents.

<h3>Live-work-play balance</h3>

One of the key attractions of mixed-use developments is the ability to achieve a desirable live-work-play balance. The integration of residential and commercial spaces allows residents to live closer to their workplaces, reducing commuting time and improving work-life balance.

The proximity to various amenities and recreational facilities encourages an active and healthy lifestyle. Residents can easily access fitness centres, parks, restaurants, and entertainment options, all within the same development, leading to a more fulfilling and convenient way of life.

alisonwarters@gmail.com

The top five reasons to buy in a mixed-use development

When buying a property, everyone needs to be aware of the additional costs that come as part of the buying process.

Often the largest outlay, after the deposit which goes to the bank, is stamp duty.

<h2 style="line-height: 1.38;">What is Stamp Duty?</h2>

Stamp duty is an extra tax to pay the government when you buy land, a property, and other certain assets.

It happens when the legal ownership is transferred. It can also be known as property transfer duty or transfer duty.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="415" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/C32BWkB5--c" title="YouTube video player" width="660"></iframe>

<h2>Who pays Stamp Duty?</h2>

In some circumstances, you may get an exemption. For some states, you won’t have to pay for stamp duty if you are a first home buyer or a pensioner for houses under a particular price. There are also stamp duty concessions, where you may be entitled to a discount.

<h2>How much does Stamp Duty cost?</h2>

Each state has different rules which affect how much you need to pay. These rules can affect the rate you pay, and the timeframe you will need to pay in. Before you buy land or a property, make sure you check the up-to-date information for your state’s stamp duty.

You can use a free stamp duty calculator online to see approximately how much you’ll need to pay. Find out if you’re eligible for an exemption by enquiring on a project via Urban!

Overall, the stamp duty you need to pay will depend on:

<ul>
	<li aria-level="1">How much your land/property is worth</li>
	<li aria-level="1">Where your land/property is located</li>
	<li aria-level="1">What type of land/property it is</li>
</ul>

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Ellen Walker

Off-the-plan property explained: What is stamp duty?

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Australia’s tallest private home has been sold after two years on the market.

The 10-storey Girvan Estate house in the NSW Upper Hunter has been sold to undisclosed family buyers from Singleton.

At 30 metres, it’s Australia's tallest private house, possibly the tallest in the southern hemisphere, but a shadow of  the northern hemisphere’s Antilia, the 27-floor personal home in South Mumbai belonging to businessman Mukesh Ambani, the billionaire chairman of Reliance Industries.

The Girvan tower was built at a cost of more than $2 million by local Peter Grey atop a hill on a back road between Stroud and Bulahdelah.

Approved by Great Lakes Council in 2002, the house comprises an entrance foyer with an indoor pool, a whole floor tennis court, a lift, six bedrooms and six bathrooms. Several members of the extended family occupy the various floors.

The fifth floor has a kitchen and dining area, which takes up the entire floor, while the 10th floor has been Grey's office.

It was advertised with $1.75 million hopes through Webb Bros Property &amp; Livestock, Stroud.

The tower sale is on a 33.5-hectare (100-acre) holding, along with a timber 89 hectare holding.

<h2>NSW properties on the market right now:</h2>

[smartcode_project:default project_id=32227]

[smartcode_project:default project_id=24323]

[smartcode_project:default project_id=29140]
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Girvan Estate, Australia’s tallest private home, sold after two years

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Clearview, the 1885 Chatswood residence built by Alexander Simpson, exhibits some expertise with sandstone.
It was Simpson who also subsequently built the Northbridge suspension bridge across Long Gully in 1892. <a target="_blank" href="https://nla.gov.au/nla.cs-pa-http%253A%252F%252Fwww3.photosau.com%252FWilloughby%252Fscripts%252FExtSearch.asp%253FSearchTerm%253D6542019">He went on to become mayor of Willoughby in 1889.</a>
The Mowbray Road property, which was restored in the early 1990s, has four double bedrooms, three bathrooms, a study and downstairs guest room.
Its Shead Property Chatswood listing agent Nick Separovich says it’s one of the area's finest examples of affluent late Victorian architecture.
It’s listed with $1.6 million-plus hopes, with offers closing July.
It last sold to the Chen family for $1.42 million in 2005, having sold at $550,000 in 1994.
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Alexander Simpson’s 1885 Chatswood sandstone property Clearview listed

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Strong apartment sales in two of its Perth projects have caused ASX-listed developer Finbar upgrade its profit forecast for the 2012 financial year ending June 30.
The developer now anticipates a full-year profit after tax of approximately $28 million, an increase of $4 million from previous guidance.
The $28 million profit figure would be a record for Finbar and 17% above the 2011 financial year profit of $23.5 million, also a record for the company.
Finbar says the higher-than-anticipated profit figure is “largely attributable to a strong level of sales and settlement conversions” achieved at its recently completed 18 on Plain and Fairlanes apartment projects, “along with the robust leasing take-up and valuation of the recently completed Fairlanes Office project, which the company has retained for investment income purposes”.
Fairlanes is a <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/developments/finbars-east-perth-project-fairlanes-complete-and-almost-sold-out/2012042954465" target="_blank">seven-level tower project worth $160 million on Adelaide Terrace in East Perth</a>, which was completed in April.
The project features 128 apartments and 7,000 square metres of office space.
Managing director Darren Pateman tells Property Observer all but one of the apartments has now sold. Prices paid in the development have averaged $850,000.
The $20.5 million 18 on Plain project was completed in February and features 29 apartments on Plain Street in East Perth as well as commercial and office space.
Pateman says all residential units in 18 on Plain have been sold, with two commercial lots remaining.
Prices for two-bedroom units averaged around the $650,000 mark.
The profit guidance update has been made without Finbar receiving or relying on any future revenue generated from its Pelago West, a 113-apartment project in Karratha, in the mining-rich Pilbara region, due to be completed in June.
First settlements on Pelago West are anticipated in July.
Revenue from this project is anticipated to be included in results for the first half of the financial year ending June 30, 2013.
“We are delighted to report such a strong financial performance to our shareholders. This result highlights our key focus of capitalising on our competitive advantages and building upon our strong WA market position in challenging economic times,” says Pateman.
“Finbar stands to benefit substantially from improving economic conditions and the realisation of our first investment in the Pilbara early in the next financial year.”
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lschlesinger-FZcF9M3vE6

Finbar upgrades profit guidance following strong East Perth apartment sales

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The seasonally adjusted estimate for new private sector house commencements fell 7.8% in the March quarter, following a fall of 2.6% in the December quarter, according to preliminary estimates from the ABS.
New house starts are down 13.1% for the year to March to 20,306.
More volatile unit commencements fell 21.6% in the March quarter following a fall of 6.3% in the December quarter.
Unit starts are down 37.7% for the year to March to 9,492.
Combined (houses and units) dwelling commencements fell 12.6% in the March quarter following a fall of 4.5% in the December quarter and are down 24.5% for the year to March.
The combined fall was significantly below market expectations, which centred on a 2.3% fall in the quarter noted Commonwealth Bank associate economist Diana Mousina.
"Monthly building approvals data, which tends to be a good leading indicator of quarterly construction data, did not suggest such a large drop in first quarter dwelling commencements.
"The housing market has been a major spot of weakness in the economy and the large fall in housing starts in the first quarter of 2012 confirm this trend," she says.

The number of seasonally adjusted dwelling commencements fell in six of the eight states and territories in the March 2012 quarter.
Dwelling commencements fell by 37.4% in New South Wales, 8.3% in Victoria, 4.8% in Western Australia, 15.8% in Tasmania, 0.4% in the Northern Territory, and 41.2% in the ACT.
Seasonally adjusted dwelling commencements increased by 2.5% in Queensland and by 0.6% in South Australia.
On a trend basis, WA recorded its eighth straight quarter of declining dwelling commencements with Victoria and South Australia recording seven straight quarterly declines.
The HIA says the March quarter figures highlight "the urgency of investment and reform to boost new housing supply".
"Dwelling commencements have been declining since the middle of 2010 and are currently running at an annualised level of 122,492," says HIA chief economist, Harley Dale.
"Excluding the new home building recession around the GST, this is the lowest level for dwelling commencements since the September quarter of 1996. Furthermore, it is a weaker outcome than was evident at any time during the GFC.
"Carve through the current argy bargy about how strong or weak the Australian economy is and you find that new housing is unequivocally weak," says Dale.
Master Builders Australia (MBA) described the March quarter result as "devastating".
MBA chief economist, Peter Jones says the extremely poor dwelling commencements result reflect high levels of consumer caution and low levels of confidence.
“The figures are a major setback for an industry that has now fallen to lows experienced during the global financial crisis. This puts at risk the viability of many building and construction operations," he says.
“The results confirm the urgency of the Reserve Bank’s decision to cut interest rates in May and June.
“Consumers are nervous due uncertainty regarding the Euro crisis, minority government and the pending introduction of the Carbon Tax.
“The glass is less than half-full for the housing sector. Jobs are being lost and more at risk," he says.
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New home construction continues to slide, with starts down 7.8% in March quarter: ABS

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It was during the 1850s Victorian gold rush that a tent city known as Canvas Town was established in what's now known as South Melbourne. The area was home to tens of thousands of migrants, particularly from Ireland and China, who having disembarked were soon off to seek their fortunes in the central Victoria goldfields.
Some 160 years it's property speculators who are homing in on the four Dorcas Street, South Melbourne terrraces from the hit Channel 9 reality television show The Block 2012.
"They are an underlying investor’s goldmine," according to BMT Tax Depreciation boss Bradley Beer.
BMT has identified significant deductions available to property investors bidding at the June 30 auctions.
All four listing agents have used the reports in their pitch to convince investors to be among the buyers.
The depreciation reports have been prepared by BMT Tax Depreciation Quantity Surveyors, which have inspected the older properties – now renovated – and estimated what a buyer could claim in deductions in his or her tax returns.
The four properties were purchased for an average of $950,000 each, and BMT has ascertained over $700,000 a terrace has been spent in additional works.
“If an investor is to purchase one of these properties for the anticipated $1.1 to $1.2 million, they represent great value based on the overall expenditure,” says Beer.
The tax depreciation schedule advises purchasers could claim over $30,000 in deductions during the first full year leading to a cumulative total of $140,000 in the first five years of ownership.
BMT Tax Depreciation prepared the property depreciation reports for The Block’s 2011 offerings, which the investor buyers will use in their current financial year tax returns.
But research shows that 80% of property investors fail to take full advantage of property depreciation, Beer says.
“They are missing out on thousands of dollars in their pockets,” he says, as the Australian Taxation Office allows property owners to claim depreciation over items that wear out as a tax deduction.
Depreciation can only be obtained by property owners who obtain income from their property.
The<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/renovating/south-melbourne-terrace-price-sales-a-guide-for-the-block-2012-contestants-and-june-30-auction-bidders/2012061955120" target="_blank"> four terraces would need to fetch well above their price estimates to break even</a>, but the television series is content to make its money from big advertising revenues.
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The Block 2012 triggers gold mine fever return to South Melbourne as investors seek depreciation windfalls

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Business owners and entrepreneurs rocked by last night's earthquake in Melbourne could be forgiven if they started panicking about potential damages – but as it turns out they have no reason to fear.
Insurance experts say earthquake coverage is a standard clause in business insurance contracts. Unlike the Brisbane floods, which exposed all sorts of technicalities and left businesses in the dark, APEX Insurance Brokers chief executive Daniel Johnson says earthquake coverage is standard.
"It just tends to cover a higher excess," he says. "But, yes, it's a standard cover for all insurance."
"People tend to think of earthquake damage in terms of a building falling over. But coverage also extends to what we call "prevention of access". Your business may not be affected, but there are lots of effects like business interruption."
Eastern Victoria was rocked with a 5.2-magnitude earthquake last night at around 9pm, with the tremors felt as far as the western suburbs of Melbourne. Some businesses in the Moe area were hit, with pictures on the internet of a supermarket which sustained a fair amount of stock damage.
Apart from that, however, there were no serious incidents or injuries. But after a few years of major natural disasters, businesses could be forgiven for feeling a little edgy.
Insurance cover technicalities exposed during the Brisbane floods meant many businesses missed out on coverage. Some SMEs suffered major losses, including one member of the Smart50 which lost an entire warehouse worth of agricultural product.
But Johnson says earthquakes are a different proposition. If you've taken out some sort of business insurance policy, then you're covered.
"Unlike floods, which are something you have to specifically request cover for, the insurers have done the right thing here and have insurance for everyone. It just carries higher excesses because there's an accumulation risk.
"So businesses are covered... but you should always look at your policy and talk to your advisor if you have any questions."
This article originally appeared on <a target="_blank" href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/index.php">SmartCompany</a>. 
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pmcstafford-pr9eMARWoN

Melbourne earthquake triggers business insurance questions

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Investors need to think laterally to get the most out of property. The best way to exploit a situation is often something other than “the bleeding obvious”.
At a seminar for property investors in Adelaide, the only thing that seemed to interest everyone was: What’s the best way to benefit from the Olympic Dam expansion?
The first thought was to rush off and buy property in Roxby Downs, the site of the big BHP Billiton mine destined for a $30 billion expansion.
I thought there were better ways. Roxby Downs will no doubt be buzzing when the big miner hits the Go button, but where will companies getting the big contracts be based? Where will their people be living? Where will the mine workers be spending their big fat pay packets?
There will be a hefty component of fly-in-fly-out during the construction phase, with on-shift workers living in a temporary accommodation village. Where will the off-shift workers be living? In most cases, not in Roxby Downs. The town will feel plenty of pressure on its services but won’t necessarily enjoy the benefits of workers’ spending.
Adelaide’s property market will be a major beneficiary. That’s where the key companies providing services to the project will be based. Those that win big contracts will expand, and the people who get the jobs will need somewhere to live. I’d be buying in Adelaide.
Regional towns like Whyalla and Port Augusta will play big roles in the projects, and jobs will be created there. There may be more upside for investors who buy there because prices are lower than in Roxby Downs, which is already expensive (median house price $415,000, compared with half as much in Whyalla and Port Augusta).
Property investors seeking opportunities from the resources revolution need to follow the money trail. The spinoffs from a major project can ripple across the nation. In some cases, they can ripple halfway around the world.
Here’s a money trail example. The trail starts in the UK, where there’s a very big natural gas company, the BG Group. It’s decided to invest big time in gas resources in Queensland, including a single project worth $18 billion. It’s extracting coal seam gas in the Surat Basin west of Toowoomba.
From there the money trail is delineated by a gas pipeline that snakes 540 kilometres across the state to seaside Gladstone, where a massive processing plant is being built on Curtis Island.
The plant needs $70 million worth of pipe projects and has handed the contract to Tyco Water.
Tyco has a factory in Wacol in Brisbane’s south-west and needs to hire another 100 workers and double its shifts to service the BG contract. It will also need 20,000 tonnes of steel to make the products BG needs in Gladstone.
Where will it get the steel? That will come from BlueScope Steel, a company based in Wollongong in New South Wales. That’s particularly good news for the Illawarra because BlueScope has been struggling lately and has cut its workforce.
So the benefits of all this will be felt in markets in the towns of the Surat Basin, Gladstone, Brisbane and Wollongong, all stemming from a decision made in London. And that’s just one relatively small contract from a very large project that will hand out work worth billions of dollars over the life of this venture.
In one sense, investing wisely in property involves following the money trail.
Terry Ryder is the founder of <a href="https://www.hotspotting.com.au/" target="_blank">hotspotting.com.au</a> and can be <a href="https://www.twitter.com/hotspotting" target="_blank">followed on Twitter</a>.
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terryryder-YECXbqmri2

Investing wisely in property involves following the money trail to benefit best from the mining boom: Terry Ryder

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One in five estate agencies in Queensland and nearly the same proportion in the other mining boom state WA (18%) made a loss in 2011, according to the Macquarie 2012 Residential Real Estate Benchmarking report.
The proportion of loss-making estate agencies in these two states is higher than in any other mainland state according to the report, based on Macquarie’s survey of 416 agencies carried out in February.
The figures are before principles pay themselves a salary.
The president of the Real Estate Institute of Western Australia, David Airey, said he was not surprised by the finding saying that in 2011 his state experienced three quarters of declining house price following four quarters of decline from the previous year.
He says for WA estate agents the key issue has been the slump in turnover.
“Consumer confidence has been very low for the last couple of years resulting in very sluggish turnover, which at times has been 30% below normal expectations,” Airey says.
Just 71% of Queensland agencies made a profit – the lowest proportion of all states – compared with a national average of 77%.
WA agents performed better, with 78% reporting a profit.
Around 14% of NSW real estate agencies made a loss in 2011 -just below the national average of 15%.
Despite its lacklustre property market, Victoria had the smallest proportion of firms making a loss (6%), with 85% of Victorian real estate agents making a profit in 2011 – helped by a greater focus on property management than other states.
Click to enlarge
<a rel="shadowbox" href="/images/stories/2012/06/macquariejune20.gif" title="Click to enlarge"><img src="/images/stories/2012/06/macquariejune20thumb.gif"></a>
The report notes that Queensland and WA agencies far exceed the average in terms of loss-making agencies in the period.
“They are also the two states which faced arguably the toughest sales markets in the period, excepting some regional centres that benefited from resources sector strength,” says Macquarie.
Further evidence of the tough operating environment in Queensland and WA was evidenced by the number of agencies in these two state reporting declines in gross sales commissions and agency revenue figures.
<ul>
<li>About 56% and 49% of Queensland and WA agencies respectively reported declines in gross sales commissions, against a national average of 46% .</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>About 46% and 45% of Queensland and WA agencies respectively reported declines in agency revenue, against a national average of 40%. </li>
</ul>
The report attributed the high proportion of Queensland agencies making a loss to a “well-documented period of natural disasters (including the Brisbane floods) in early 2011, which had a direct impact on the sales market and agencies”.
In comparison, the report says although Victoria also experienced a high number of agencies recording declines in agency revenue and gross sales commissions (46% and 52% respectively), “what is known for certain is that agencies in Victoria have rent rolls that are 35% larger, by properties under management, than the national average”.
The report found that the industry has shifted to greater focus on property management with revenue from the rent roll now accounting for 42% of total revenue in 2011 compared to 36% in 2009 with the average rent roll size increasing from 375 properties in 2009 to 436 in 2012.
Nationally, 39% of agencies reported an overall increase in profit while 42% reported a decrease.
Nearly a quarter of agencies (22%) did not make a profit in the financial year, while 58% achieved a return above 10%.
The best-performing agencies (profit margins of greater than 30%) accounted for just 10% of total agencies that took part in the survey.
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One in five Queensland and WA real estate offices made a loss in 2011: Macquarie Benchmarking Report

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Watched by millions of DIY renovation fans, contestants on The Block 2012 worked hard to renovate their South Melbourne terraces in the hopes of securing the prize winning highest price at auction, scheduled for June 30.
Contestants may have high hopes of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/auctions/with-%2453-million-outlay-the-block-2012-terraces-will-have-to-outperform-south-melbourne-market-to-make-close-to-a-profit/2012060454976">sale prices around the $1.2 million mark</a> but could struggle to achieve this given recent sales history.
This year there have been 12 sales of South Melbourne terraces with only four disclosing their prices, resulting in an average price of just over $1 million.
It wasnt helped this week with <a target="_blank" href="/news">South Melbourne</a> one of six suburbs to drop off the $1 million median house price perch over the past 12 months following soft trading conditions , according to first quarter 2012 figures released by the Real Estate Institute of Victoria.
The suburb had a median selling price for the first three months of the year of $967,000, according to the REIV.
RP Data put South Melbourne's median house price at a lower $925,000, down 11% over the year. But it is up 47% over the past five years. RPData suggests that the median price for houses priced over $750,000 sits at $1.068 million.
On the positive side, alternate figures compiled by Australian Property Monitors (APM) for the six months to March 2012 revealed South Melbourne to be the top-performing Melbourne suburb, with median house prices up 22.5% to $1 million, ahead of Mont Albert (up 22.4% to $1.2 million) and Fitzroy (up 22%t to $955,000).
According to Robert Larocca, spokesman for the REIV, the sale at auction of a two-bedroom terrace at 304 Moray Street at the end of March most closely resembles the type of properties that feature on The Block.
The Moray Street terrace (below) sold at auction for <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.thehomepage.com.au/property/residential/304-moray-street-south-melbourne/413387">$1.06 million through David Wood of Hocking Stuart Albert Park</a>.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/06/morayst.jpg">
According to the REIV, since January 1 2011 there have been 27 sales of South Melbourne terraces, of which nine vendors have disclosed the selling price.
Based on disclosed sales, two-bedroom sales have averaged $1.13 million, three-bedroom terraces have averaged $1.3 million and one four-bedroom terrace sold for $1.8 million in April last year.
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="0" style="width: 470px;">
<colgroup>
<col width="99">
<col width="64">
<col width="23">
<col width="71">
<col width="123">
<col width="221">
<col width="64">
</colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr height="17">
<td width="99" height="17">Street number</td>
<td width="64">Street</td>
<td width="23"></td>
<td width="71">SaleDate</td>
<td width="123">Sale Price</td>
<td width="221">Agent</td>
<td width="64">Bedrooms</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">308</td>
<td>Albert</td>
<td>Rd</td>
<td align="right">26/05/2012</td>
<td>$1,050,000</td>
<td>Greg Hocking</td>
<td>2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">67</td>
<td>Nelson</td>
<td>Rd</td>
<td align="right">26/05/2012</td>
<td></td>
<td>Marshall White &amp; Co Pty Ltd</td>
<td>2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">164</td>
<td>Cecil</td>
<td>St</td>
<td>19/05/2012</td>
<td>$1,060,000</td>
<td>Hocking Stuart</td>
<td>3</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">18</td>
<td>Howe</td>
<td>Cr</td>
<td align="right">12/05/2012</td>
<td></td>
<td>Greg Hocking</td>
<td>3</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17"></td>
<td>Bank</td>
<td>St</td>
<td>11/4/2012</td>
<td></td>
<td>Cayzer Real Estate</td>
<td>3</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">304</td>
<td>Moray</td>
<td>St</td>
<td>24/3/2012</td>
<td>$1,060,000</td>
<td>Hocking Stuart</td>
<td>2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">162</td>
<td>Nelson</td>
<td>Rd</td>
<td>25/2/2012</td>
<td>$1,300,001</td>
<td>Cayzer</td>
<td>2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">141</td>
<td>Napier</td>
<td>St</td>
<td>3/12/2011</td>
<td>$925,000</td>
<td>Hocking Stuart</td>
<td>3</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17"></td>
<td>Raglan</td>
<td>St</td>
<td>1/12/2011</td>
<td></td>
<td>Marshall White &amp; Co Pty Ltd</td>
<td>3</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17"></td>
<td>Ferrars</td>
<td>St</td>
<td>24/11/2011</td>
<td></td>
<td>Hocking Stuart (Albert Park) Pty Ltd</td>
<td>3</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">168</td>
<td>Napier</td>
<td>St</td>
<td>22/10/2011</td>
<td></td>
<td>Hocking Stuart</td>
<td>2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">47</td>
<td>Cobden</td>
<td>St</td>
<td>21/8/2011</td>
<td></td>
<td>Cayzer</td>
<td>2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">297</td>
<td>Dorcas</td>
<td>St</td>
<td>6/8/2011</td>
<td>$1,320,000</td>
<td>Cayzer</td>
<td>3</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">401</td>
<td>Dorcas</td>
<td>St</td>
<td>17/6/2011</td>
<td></td>
<td>Buxton</td>
<td>3</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">403</td>
<td>Dorcas</td>
<td>St</td>
<td>17/6/2011</td>
<td></td>
<td>Buxton</td>
<td>5</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">405</td>
<td>Dorcas</td>
<td>St</td>
<td>17/6/2011</td>
<td></td>
<td>Buxton</td>
<td>4</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">407</td>
<td>Dorcas</td>
<td>St</td>
<td>17/6/2011</td>
<td></td>
<td>Buxton</td>
<td>4</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">364</td>
<td>Park</td>
<td>St</td>
<td>18/5/2011</td>
<td></td>
<td>Kay &amp; Burton Albert Park</td>
<td>4</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17"></td>
<td>Dorcas</td>
<td>St</td>
<td>29/4/2011</td>
<td>$1,300,000</td>
<td>Cayzer Real Estate</td>
<td>3</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">36</td>
<td>Ferrars</td>
<td>Pl</td>
<td>1/4/2011</td>
<td>$1,800,000</td>
<td>Cayzer Real Estate</td>
<td>4</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17"></td>
<td>Nelson</td>
<td>Rd</td>
<td>12/3/2011</td>
<td>$1,700,000</td>
<td>Cayzer</td>
<td>3</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
In the two years prior (2009 and 2010) REIV counts 40 sales of South Melbourne terraces, with all but three vendors willing to disclose the selling price.
Based on disclosed prices from 2009 to end of May 2012:
Two-bedroom terrace prices have ranged from $810,000 to $1.3 million.
Three-bedroom terrace prices have ranged from $710,000 to $2.17 million
Four-bedroom terrace prices have ranged from $850,000 to $2.25 million
The most recent sale was this <a target="_blank" href="https://www.domain.com.au/Property/For-Sale/House/VIC/South-Melbourne/?adid=2009656432">two-bedroom terrace at 308 Albert Street</a> (below), which sold at auction on May 26 for $1.05 million through Greg Hocking having had a $900,000-plus asking price.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/06/albertst1.jpg">
Also over the same weekend, this two-bedroom corner terrace (below) sold in a private sale for an undisclosed priced through Marshall White. It had a price guide of $695,000.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/06/terrace1.jpg">
The top sale for 2012 has been the $1.3 million paid for a two-bedroom terrace at 162 Nelson Road. This <a target="_blank" href="https://realestate.melbourneweeklyportphillip.com.au/overview/3312510/162-nelson-road-south-melbourne-3205/">1960s terrace</a> (below) sold at auction through Cayzer Real Estate’s Michael Szulc and Simon Carruthers and was aimed (given its ungainly appearance) at the renovation market:
<img src="/images/stories/2012/06/nelson.jpg">
But The Block contestants are unlikely to get anywhere near the top sale of the past three years, which was this <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-south+melbourne-106135143.pdf?15b1d46d6819249753bc9cee2184f96e">four-bedroom terrace on two street frontages of land at 21 Ferrars Place</a> (below), which sold under the hammer for $2.25 million through Hocking Stuart in December 2009.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/06/ferrars.jpg" width="470">
The cheapest recent sale has been this modern three-bedroom terrace on Napier Street (below), which sold for <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-south+melbourne-108600571">$925,000</a> at auction in December last year through David Wood from Hocking Stuart Albert Park.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/06/napier2.jpg" width="470">
This most expensive property sold over since January 2011 is this grand, renovated <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-south+melbourne-107253317">four-bedroom terrace at 36 Ferrars Place</a> (below), which sold at auction in February for $1.8 million through Cayzer Real Estate.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/06/ferrars2.jpg" width="470">
The listing describes it as an “architect-renovated dress-circle gem … a wonderful blend of period features and contemporary finishes embrace you upon entering this warm home with style”.
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South Melbourne terrace sale prices: A guide for The Block 2012 contestants and June 30 auction bidders

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Packed to the Rafters star Rebecca Gibney and her husband, artist Richard Bell, have sold their Clareville home for an undisclosed price.
The couple didn’t have the time to turn it into their dream home so the four-bedroom house on a 948-square-metre block had $1.3 million hopes on its listing last year.
With views of Pittwater towards Ku-ring-gai Chase national park, it cost $1.22 million in 2009, so a small loss after costs seems probable.
The family, who sold in Tasmania last year, have suggested they were likely to upgrade to a contemporary house in the Pittwater precinct north of Sydney.
“Due to increasingly busy schedules, we have decided not to renovate our home on the northern beaches,'' Gibney has told the local press on listing the initial October 2011 property through Andrew Blake and Cathy Agosti from Andrew Blake Real Estate.
“It has been a real haven, and we will miss the privacy and great views. We love the area,” Gibney noted.
The couple’s renovation plans, which had been approved by Pittwater Council, included a new pool, enclosing the carport and first-floor additions and had been projected to cost $414,000.
{yoogallery src=[images/stories/november9gibneytassie]}
Their four-bedroom Tamar Valley home, River Point House (pictured above) – which cost $650,000 in 2003 – was sold for $1.15 million in February 2011 having been listed with a $1.3 million price through Roberts Tamar agent Kerry Sanders in late 2009.
It had been available as a $1,700 weekly holiday rental since it came with private beach, boat ramp and boathouse. The couple had paid $650,000 in 2003 for the 1981 house set on seven hectares on a bend of the Tamar River at Kayena, north of Launceston.
In 2007 Gibney shot to local and national attention after attending anti-pulp mill rallies in Launceston protesting against Gunns Limited's planned pulp mill on the Tamar River at Long Reach, some five kilometres downstream from Gibney's then home.
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